Can A Paramedic Afford Rent in Ankeny, IA?
Stretched but workable — rent takes 37.6% of gross income.
Ankeny rent: July 2026. Salary: BLS OEWS May 2024 (Iowa state estimate).
About rent and a paramedic salary
Paramedic and EMT base pay sits modestly below the US median household income and is often supplemented by overtime. At the national-average paramedic salary, the 30% rule supports about $1,330 a month in rent.
Cheaper rent nearby
These Iowa cities have lower median rent than Ankeny, which improves the affordability math on a paramedic salary:
Compare with full rent data for Ankeny
View full rent data for Ankeny, IA →Frequently asked questions
Can a paramedic afford rent in Ankeny, IA?
Median rent in Ankeny is $1,533 a month. A typical paramedic in Iowa earns about $48,926 a year, which makes that rent 37.6% of gross monthly income. Under the 30% rule, the answer is no — rent exceeds the 30% threshold.
How much rent can a paramedic afford in Ankeny?
Using the 30% rule, a paramedic salary in Iowa (~$48,926/yr) supports up to $1,223 a month in rent. Ankeny's current median rent is $1,533/mo, which is $310/mo over the affordability threshold.
How many hours does a paramedic work to cover rent in Ankeny?
At an hourly equivalent of about $24 an hour, a paramedic in Iowa works roughly 65.2 hours a month to cover Ankeny's median rent of $1,533.
Where is rent cheaper than Ankeny for a paramedic?
Nearby Iowa cities with lower median rent include Altoona ($1,530/mo), Altoona ($1,523/mo), Waukee ($1,521/mo). Each shifts the affordability math materially on a paramedic salary.